ARCHIVE PHOTO: Ronda Rousey made history when she became the first female fighter to sign with the UFC.

ARCHIVE PHOTO: Ronda Rousey made history when she became the first female fighter to sign with the UFC. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)

Congratulations are in order this week, as several local athletes throughout the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys--from the professionals right down to the high schoolers--achieved major milestones or received league honors.

According to Josh Gross, MMA columnist for ESPN.com, the UFC had delayed adding women to its ranks because of concerns over the depth of the talent pool. "Rousey's rising stardom," writes Gross, "had a significant impact on the way [UFC President Dana] White viewed the potential for female fighters in the UFC."

John Huh proved that Rousey isn't Glendale's only rising star. The 22-year-old golfer and Crescenta Valley High School alum was named the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year on Tuesday. Huh won one event and participated in two more this year, the British Open and PGA Tour Championship, becoming the youngest player to qualify for the latter event since Sergio Garcia in 2001.